We Need a Little Christmas

Last week we attended our grandson's Christmas concert at his school.  What a joy to hear all those young voices singing the music of Christmas!

As we returned home on Friday, we made a stop at Concord Mills Mall near Charlotte.  There were a few things Al was wanting from Bass Pro Shop.  After we had made our purchases there, we walked through the mall, not because we needed to buy anything in particular.  More for the exercise.

When we walked out into the mall, there were crowds of people everywhere.  There were Christmas decorations.  There was music being piped in.  The first song I heard was "We Need a Little Christmas".  What an appropriate song to be playing!  The people in that mall definitely   needed a little Christmas!

There was pushing and shoving.  Grumpy faces.  Stress.  Not much Christmas spirit was evident there.  We even commented to each other that we're glad all our shopping is done and the pressure is off.  As I thought back to that comment later, I realized how sad that is......that Christmas has become such a time of stress and pressure.

Maybe you're feeling that today.  Maybe you aren't feeling much "Christmas spirit".  Maybe you "need a little Christmas".

That may be true for all of us at one time or another.  So what do we do when we need a little Christmas?

When we find ourselves feeling stressed and pressured by what should be a joyful holiday, it's time to refocus.  To find a quiet place alone and refocus our thinking.

Forget, at least for a while, the mistletoe and holly, the fruitcake and tinsel, the hustle-bustle, the cookie-baking-decorating-got-so-much-to-do.  Forget, at least for a while, the things that are causing you financial stress or emotional stress or any other kind of stress.  Set all that aside for a while.  And remember.

• Remember why we are celebrating in the first place!
• Remember Who we are celebrating!
• Read the Christmas story from Luke's gospel.
• Listen to some Christmas music.  Some carols about the Birth of the Christ Child.  (Save the Jingle Bells for another time!)
• Reflect on all the reasons you have for joy and thanksgiving at this season of the year. Make a list!
• Talk to God about how you are feeling.  If your Christmas spirit has gone missing, tell Him about it!  Ask Him to help you get it back!

There are all kinds of reasons why our Christmas spirit may have gone missing.  But even in the midst of sadness and financial stress and holiday pressures, we can still enjoy and celebrate the season when we remember the reason for the season!

 "This gift was the greatest that the world had ever known;
God's love in the form of a little child from Heaven's throne;

 Such joy, such hope sent to earth from above;
This gift, God's greatest gift, wrapped in Heaven's love."

You need.  I need.  The world needs a little CHRISTmas!

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger."  (Luke 2:7 ESV)